Challenges in land acquisition for solar projects
While the Central and State Governments have taken several proactive steps to make it easier for solar developers to acquire land for their projects, land aggregation remains the single biggest roadblock in implementing large-scale projects, resulting in a slowdown in the industry.
AP High Court order upholding the sanctity of solar PPAs a positive news but timely implementation remains critical, says ICRA
In the matter of power purchase agreement (PPA) tariff renegotiation, the high court of Andhra Pradesh has directed the state discoms to honor the PPA terms and clear the pending payments to solar and wind power developers within six weeks from the date of the order. The incremental impact on power purchase cost for the AP discoms is estimated at about INR 10,500 crore, due to the build-up of dues arising out of the difference between the PPA rate and interim rate over the last three-year period.
NSEFI writes to law minister on solar tariff renegotiation in Punjab
The industry body wrote the State’s new bill to redetermine solar tariffs will render the already operating projects unviable and power producers will find it difficult to repay their loans. It sought the law minister’s intervention in highlighting their concerns to the President with whom the Bill is presently pending approval.
US Commerce Department throws out anti-dumping petitions
The dismissal is a win for the Solar Energy Industries Association, which vigorously opposed the request by American Solar Manufacturers Against Chinese Circumvention (A-SMACC) for anti-dumping and anti-circumvention (AD-CVD) tariffs
Most significant roadblocks to India’s solar energy goals
India needs to install an average of 25 GW solar capacity every year to reach its renewable energy target of ‘450 GW by 2030’ with over 60% (280 GW) from solar. The nation must build enough manufacturing capacity back home to be ready on the supply side to support the new installations.
Solar modules are being detained by US customs agents, reports suggest
An order issued in late June instructed US customs agents to detain solar shipments containing silica-based products sourced from a Chinese firm and its subsidiaries. Three solar players may already have been impacted.
APTEL orders compensation for solar curtailment in Tamil Nadu
The Delhi-based Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) has directed Tamil Nadu State Load Despatch Centre (TNSLDC) and The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) to compensate developers at 75% of PPA tariff per kWh on solar curtailment.
Solar developers approach Centre as Uttar Pradesh cancels 500 MW auction
The 500 MW solar auction cancellation by Uttar Pradesh comes as the latest blow to developers after a similar experience in Gujarat recently. Industry body NSEFI wants the central government to direct the state government to stop cancellation and issue the capacity to winning developers.
Solar developers take 700 MW retender issue to APTEL
Tata Power, TEQ Green Power, and Vena Energy Renewables Urja have approached the Delhi-based Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) seeking interim relief against the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission’s order allowing retendering of the awarded solar capacity.
CERC calls for proposals to study useful life and CUF of solar projects
The regulator has sought a detailed study after it received requests for reconsidering the useful life and capacity utilization factor (CUF) of solar projects as notified in draft regulations 2020.
